kar, kar'-fool-ness, kar'-fool: The English word "care" has such a variety of meanings, and so many Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible are translated by this English expression and its compounds, that it is difficult to organize them into a single brief article. We may do so, however, by remembering that into our word are really woven two strands, one Teutonic and one Latin. The former element implies a measure of trouble or sorrow, as the pain from a blow, a throb, a distress in the mind; the latter, from Latin cura, implies a stretching forward, attention to some person or thing. We can often discern these two senses side by side in the Bible, and sometimes they almost run into one another. This is so especially in the King James Version. We can treat the subject best by keeping separate, as far as possible, these two senses.

I. In the Sense of Anxiety, Solicitude.

1. Substantives:

In the Old Testament several words are translated "care" in this sense. "Thy father hath left off caring for the asses," concern about them literally, "matters of the asses" (dibhre, 1 Samuel 10:2). "They shall eat bread by weight, and with care" (de'-aghah, "carefulness" the Revised Version (British and American); "fearfulness" the American Standard Revised Version, Ezekiel 4:16). The same word is rendered carefulness (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American); "fearfulness," the American Standard Revised Version, Ezekiel 12:18-19); and "fear" (King James Version; "carefulness," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, Joshua 22:24). Again, "heaviness" (the Kings James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version), but "care" (the Revised Version, margin and the American Revised Version, margin, Proverbs 12:25). Once more, "sorrow" (the King James Version, the Revised with Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version), but "care" (the Revised Version, margin and the American Revised Version, margin, Jeremiah 49:23). There is also the word charadhah "trembling," "fear," "anxiety." It is rendered "trembling" (Genesis 27:33 the King James Version). But "thou hast been careful for us all this care" ("showed us all this reverence," the Revised Version, margin, the American Revised Version, margin, 2 Kings 4:13). In the New Testament, "care," in the sense of anxiety, is the meaning given to merimna, the condition of being drawn mentally in different directions, distraction of mind. "Care of the world" (Matthew 13:22Mark 4:19Luke 8:14, "cares of this life," Luke 21:34); "care of all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:28) ("anxiety," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version); "casting all your care upon him" ("anxiety," the Revised Version (British and American), the American Standard Revised Version, 1 Peter 5:7). Also in the Apocrypha, "My heart faileth for care" (1 Maccabees 6:10); "Care bringeth old age before the time" (Sirach 30:24). To these may be added the adjective amerimnos, "I would have you without carefulness" (King James Version; "free from cares," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, 1 Corinthians 7:32).

2. Verbs:

In the Old Testament (da'agh, "to have concern or anxiety for"). "Not be careful in the year of drought" (Jeremiah 17:8). (sum lebh, "to set the heart upon"), "If we flee away, they will not care for us" ("set their heart upon us" King James Version, margin, 2 Samuel 18:3).

In the New Testament (memrinao), "Thou art careful and troubled" ("anxious" the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, Luke 10:41). "He that is unmarried careth for things that belong to the Lord" ("is careful for," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, 1 Corinthians 7:32-34). "Members should have the same care one for another" (1 Corinthians 12:25). "Who will naturally care (the American Standard Revised Version "care truly") for your state" (Philippians 2:20). "Be careful for nothing" ("in nothing be anxious," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, Philippians 4:6). The Apocrypha has "careful" (Baruch 3:18) and the Revised Version (British and American) has "be not careful overmuch," where a distinction is plainly made between care in the sense of anxiety and of attention, for a person cannot be too attentive, but he may be too anxious (2 Esdras 2:27).

The impersonal verb (melei), though not quite so strong as merimnao, always implies a degree of concern higher than is felt in mere attention. "Carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38). "Carest not for anyone" (the King James Version "no man," Matthew 22:16Mark 12:14). "Dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone?" (Luke 10:40). "Careth not for the sheep" (John 10:13). "Cared for the poor" (John 12:6). "Gallio cared for none of these things" (Acts 18:17). "Care not for it" (1 Corinthians 7:21). "He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). "Doth God care for oxen?" (better, "Is it for the oxen that God careth?" the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, 1 Corinthians 9:9).

II. In the Sense of Attention.

1. Substantives:

In the sense of attention, with the flavor of earnestness added from the original Teutonic meaning of the word care, we have the translation of spoude, "speed," "earnest care." "What carefulness it wrought in you" ("earnest care," the Revised Version (British and American), the American Standard Revised Version, 2 Corinthians 7:11). "Our care for you in the sight of God" ("earnest care," the Revised Version (British and American), the American Standard Revised Version, 2 Corinthians 7:12). "Put the same care into the heart of Titus" ("earnest care," the Revised Version (British and American), the American Standard Revised Version, 2 Corinthians 8:16). We have also phronein, the infin. used as a substantive "Your care for me hath flourished" ("thought," the Revised Version (British and American), the American Standard Revised Version, Philippians 4:10). Also phrontis, "thought" ("care" the American Standard Revised Version, The Wisdom of Solomon 6:17; 7:4).

2. Verbs:

"A land which Yahweh thy God careth for" darash, "seek after" ("seeketh after," the Revised Version, margin, the American Revised Version, margin, Deuteronomy 11:12). "No man careth for my soul" ("sought" King James Versions margin, Psalm 142:4; chashach). "We are not careful to answer" (King James Version, also compare the margin, the American Revised Version, margin; "We have no need to answer," the Revised Version (British and American), the American Standard Revised Version, Daniel 3:16). In the New Testament epimeleomai, "Take care of him" (Luke 10:34, 35). "How shall he take care of the church of God?" (1 Timothy 3:5). phrontizo, "to be thoughtful or mindful of," "may be careful to maintain good works" (1 Timothy 3:8).

Careful to Maintain Good Works... XXIII Careful to maintain Good Works. I will that thou affirm these things confidently, to the end that they which have believed .../.../murray/working for god/xxiii careful to maintain good.htm

December 17. "Be Careful for Nothing" (Phil. Iv. 6).... DECEMBER 17. "Be careful for nothing" (Phil. iv. 6). "Be careful for nothing" (Philippians 4:6). What is the way to lay your burden down? .../.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /december 17 be careful for.htm

3. (a.) Taking care; giving good heed; watchful; cautious; provident; not indifferent, heedless, or reckless; -- often followed by of, for, or the infinitive; as, careful of money; careful to do right.

Thesaurus

Careful (130 Occurrences)... giving good heed; watchful; cautious; provident; not indifferent, heedless, or reckless; -- often followed by of, for, or the infinitive; as, careful of money .../c/careful.htm - 44k

Worries (6 Occurrences)... Luke 21:34 "So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. .../w/worries.htm - 8k

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)... baqash, "to search out," "to strive after," "inquire" (Esther 2:23)): The term refers, as indicated by these passages, first of all to a careful and diligent .../i/inquisition.htm - 9k

Deliberation (1 Occurrence)... 1. (n.) The act of deliberating, or of weighing and examining the reasons for and against a choice or measure; careful consideration; mature reflection. .../d/deliberation.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance

Careful (130 Occurrences)

Matthew 2:8 He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage."(WEY NAS NIV)

Matthew 6:1 "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.(WEB NIV)

Matthew 6:25 For this cause I say unto you, Do not be careful about your life, what ye should eat and what ye should drink; nor for your body what ye should put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than raiment?(DBY)

Matthew 6:28 And why are ye careful about clothing? Observe with attention the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin;(DBY)

Matthew 6:31 Be not therefore careful, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we put on?(DBY)

Matthew 6:34 Be not careful therefore for the morrow, for the morrow shall be careful about itself. Sufficient to the day is its own evil.(DBY)

Matthew 8:4 and Jesus said to him, "Be careful to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses appointed as evidence for them."(WEY)

Matthew 9:30 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know."(WEY)

Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, be not careful how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given to you in that hour what ye shall speak.(DBY)

Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.(WEB)

Mark 1:44 and saying, "Be careful not to tell any one, but go and show yourself to the Priest, and for your purification present the offerings that Moses appointed as evidence for them."(WEY)

Mark 13:5 Jesus, answering, began to tell them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.(WEB)

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you away to deliver you up, be not careful beforehand as to what ye shall say, nor prepare your discourse: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for ye are not the speakers, but the Holy Spirit.(DBY)

Luke 1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account,(WEY NAS NIV)

Luke 8:18 Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has."(WEB WEY NIV)

Luke 10:34 and having come near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and having lifted him up on his own beast, he brought him to an inn, and was careful of him;(YLT)

Luke 10:35 and on the morrow, going forth, taking out two denaries, he gave to the innkeeper, and said to him, Be careful of him, and whatever thou mayest spend more, I, in my coming again, will give back to thee.(YLT)

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:(KJV DBY)

Luke 11:35 So take care that the light which is in you is not dark. (See RSV)

Luke 12:11 But when they bring you before the synagogues and rulers and the authorities, be not careful how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say;(DBY)

Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, For this cause I say unto you, Be not careful for life, what ye shall eat, nor for the body, what ye shall put on.(DBY)

Luke 12:25 But which of you by being careful can add to his stature one cubit? (DBY)

Luke 12:26 If therefore ye cannot do even what is least, why are ye careful about the rest?(DBY)

Luke 17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The Kingdom of God doesn't come with observation;(See NIV)

Luke 21:34 "So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.(WEB NIV)

Acts 5:35 He said to them, "You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.(WEB WEY NIV)

Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. (See NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.(WEB WEY NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:(Root in KJV ASV)

1 Corinthians 7:33 but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,(ASV)

1 Corinthians 7:34 and is divided. 'So' also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.(ASV)

1 Corinthians 8:9 But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. (WEB NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall. (WEB NIV)

Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another.(WEB)

Ephesians 5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;(Root in WEB WEY ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (KJV DBY)

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.(KJV WBS)

Colossians 2:8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.(WEB)

1 Timothy 4:15 of these things be careful; in these things be, that thy advancement may be manifest in all things;(YLT)

2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.(See NIV)

Titus 3:8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.(See NIV)

Hebrews 4:1 Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.(See NIV)

Hebrews 12:25 Be careful not to refuse to listen to Him who is speaking to you. For if they of old did not escape unpunished when they refused to listen to him who spoke on earth, much less shall we escape who turn a deaf ear to Him who now speaks from Heaven.(WEY)

1 Peter 1:10 For the prophets who gave the news of the grace which would come to you, made search with all care for knowledge of this salvation;(See NAS)

2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will be careful to put you always in mind of these things, although knowing them and established in the present truth.(DBY)

Genesis 31:24 Then God came to Laban in a dream by night, and said to him, Take care that you say nothing good or bad to Jacob.(See NAS NIV)

Genesis 31:29 It is in my power to do you damage: but the God of your father came to me this night, saying, Take care that you say nothing good or bad to Jacob.(See NAS NIV)

Exodus 10:28 Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Be careful to see my face no more; for in the day you see my face you shall die!"(WEB)

Exodus 19:12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying,'Be careful that you don't go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death.(WEB NIV)

Exodus 23:13 "Be careful to do all things that I have said to you; and don't invoke the name of other gods, neither let them be heard out of your mouth.(WEB NIV)

Exodus 23:21 Be careful in his presence, and hearken unto his voice: do not provoke him, for he will not forgive your transgressions; for my name is in him.(DBY)

Exodus 34:12 Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare in the midst of you:(WEB NIV)

Leviticus 18:4 You shall do my ordinances, and you shall keep my statutes, and walk in them: I am Yahweh your God.(See NIV)

Leviticus 22:2 "Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am Yahweh.(See NAS)

Leviticus 25:18 "'Therefore you shall do my statutes, and keep my ordinances and do them; and you shall dwell in the land in safety.(See NIV)

Leviticus 26:3 "'If you walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;(See NIV)

Numbers 23:12 He answered and said, "Must I not take heed to speak that which Yahweh puts in my mouth?"(See NAS)

Numbers 28:2 Give orders to the children of Israel and say to them, Let it be your care to give me my offerings at their regular times, the food of the offerings made by fire to me for a sweet smell.(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 2:4 And give the people orders, saying, You are about to go through the land of your brothers, the children of Esau, who are living in Seir; and they will have fear of you; so take care what you do:(See NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 5:1 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.(See NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 5:32 Take care, then, to do whatever the Lord your God has given you orders to do; let there be no turning away to the right hand or to the left.(See RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 6:3 So give ear, O Israel, and take care to do this; so that it may be well for you, and you may be greatly increased, as the Lord the God of your fathers has given you his word, in a land flowing with milk and honey.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 6:25 And it will be our righteousness if we take care to keep all this order before the Lord our God as he has given it to us. (See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 7:11 You shall therefore keep the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this day, to do them.(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 7:12 It shall happen, because you listen to these ordinances, and keep and do them, that Yahweh your God will keep with you the covenant and the loving kindness which he swore to your fathers:(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 8:1 Take care to keep all the orders which I give you today, so that you may have life and be increased and go in and take as a heritage the land which the Lord, by his oath to your fathers, undertook to give you.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 11:22 For if you take care to keep all the orders which I give you, and to do them; loving the Lord your God and walking in all his ways and being true to him:(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 11:32 And you are to take care to keep all the laws and the decisions which I put before you today. (See NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 12:1 These are the laws and the decisions which you are to keep with care in the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to be your heritage all the days of your life on earth.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:13 Take care that you do not make your burned offerings in any place you see: (See NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:19 See that you do not give up caring for the Levite as long as you are living in your land. (See NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:30 After their destruction take care that you do not go in their ways, and that you do not give thought to their gods, saying, How did these nations give worship to their gods? I will do as they did.(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:32 You are to keep with care all the words I give you, making no addition to them and taking nothing from them.(See NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 15:5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.(Root in KJV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 16:12 And you will keep in mind that you were a servant in the land of Egypt: and you will take care to keep all these laws. (See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 17:10 You shall do according to the tenor of the sentence which they shall show you from that place which Yahweh shall choose; and you shall observe to do according to all that they shall teach you: (See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 19:9 if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you this day, to love Yahweh your God, and to walk ever in his ways; then you shall add three cities more for yourselves, besides these three:(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 23:23 That which is gone out of your lips you shall observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, a freewill offering, which you have promised with your mouth.(See NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 24:8 In connection with the leper's disease, take care to keep and do every detail of the teaching of the priests, the Levites: as I gave them orders, so you are to do.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 26:16 This day Yahweh your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances: you shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:1 Now if you give ear to the voice of the Lord your God, and keep with care all these orders which I have given you today, then the Lord your God will put you high over all the nations of the earth:(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:13 Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if you shall listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them,(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:15 But if you do not give ear to the voice of the Lord your God, and take care to do all his orders and his laws which I give you today, then all these curses will come on you and overtake you:(See RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:58 If you will not take care to do all the words of this law, recorded in this book, honouring that name of glory and of fear, THE LORD YOUR GOD;(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.(See RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and your foreigner who is within your gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Yahweh your God, and observe to do all the words of this law;(See NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:46 He said to them, "Set your heart to all the words which I testify to you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, even all the words of this law.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don't turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.(See NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:3 You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have performed the duty of the commandment of Yahweh your God.(See RSV)

Joshua 22:5 Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."(See NAS NIV)

Joshua 23:6 "Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left;(See NIV)

1 Kings 2:4 That Yahweh may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying,'If your children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,' he said,'a man on the throne of Israel.'(See NAS)

1 Kings 8:25 Now therefore, may Yahweh, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying,'There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.'(See NIV)

2 Kings 4:13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)